COMORO ISLANDS: A Man and His Dog

Until last spring, the Comoro Islands were known, if at all, chiefly as
a source of ilang-ilang, an exotic flower whose extract is widely used
in French perfumes. Now the Comoros are called the Mercenary Isles.
Last spring the four tiny specks of volcanic ash off the coast of
Mozambique were invaded by a motley troop of white soldiers of fortune,
who took over the hapless islands lock, stock, and ilang-ilang.

The Comoros have proved an ideal laboratory for bizarre experiments in
government....